T
he Big Bike Show 2005
Muscat’s first and a success the very first time.
Bike lovers, enthusiasts, die-hards and brave-hearts in Muscat had
much to celebrate about and feast their eyes on the best of
two-wheeled macho machines at the Big Bike Show at the Jawharat
A’Shati complex on Thursday, 27 January 2005.
Both owners and dealers of great bike makers such as BMW,
Harley-Davidson, Honda, Kawasaki, Yamaha and Suzuki along with with
the bikersoman.com club and United Finance Company participated in
this first of its kind show in Muscat.
Though the show was scheduled to start at 4 pm and end at 8 pm, one
could see enthusiasts piling at the venue from 2 pm itself. The show
ended much after the slotted hour. Though the brand distributors
were around with their brand new machines from noon itself,
participating individual owners and families of machines and their
friends were also in early with their proud assets much in advance.
Some came on their bikes, while some had their bikes towed by a 4WD
seating the complete family.
More than a hundred and fifty proud machine owners with their
gleaming faces and glistening engines on wheels displaying their
riding skills and maneuverability with their prized machines roared
in with deafening sounds of power and steel at the venue. It was a
sight to be seen and heard to believe. A cold breeze from the ocean,
mild sun and beautifully spruced up machines in different colours
made one feel that Muscat wasn’t much behind shows of similar nature
held in North America and Europe. Some owners had made it to the
complex on their machines from as far as Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The
response was so good from owners of bikes that the allotted area for
the displays was found to be short and adjustments had to be made to
accommodate all eager owners of their dream machines. There were
cruisers, sportsters, quads or duners, scramblers and some off-roaders
too.
A scene worth noting was that proud owners of machines bunched up in
areas, obviously created by the organizers, to discuss and exchange
handshakes with pride. There was the Honda crowd, the Harley bunch,
the Yamaha lot, etc., all of them eagerly viewing each other’s
machine, revving up engines, appreciating the audible notes like a
musician and discussing or offering some kind of expert advice to
each other. All of them looked different from the owners of the
other brand machines, by their attire and colours.
The two thousand plus spectators both Omanis and expatriate males
and females, and lovers of two wheelers were having a whale of a
time. Many taking photographs of machines on their mobile phone
cams, while some taking photos on traditional SLRs and others on
digital camcorders and stills. Some spectators were also seen posing
for photographs besides some super machines. Even parents brought
along their toddlers and kids and made them sit on the displayed
machines for photos, thanks to the ever-willing nature of the bike
owners. There even was an eager ISM student found to be sketching a
black Fatboy, a swell of an entry. An entry that reminded one of
Arnold Schwarzenneger in The Terminator. The students attempt were
appreciated by many participants and spectators.
Machines ranging from 600cc to 2000cc were on display. One could
imagine the strength of a two wheeler with an engine as big as that
of a midsize car.
The entire afternoon and evening was like a mini fair or carnival,
with MI2-like music and video displays from the d
ealers’ areas. The
organizers had really done a great job by arranging for information
desks and free water for the thirsty and a small stall for those who
felt that the stomach must also be attended to. Enthusiasts and kids
could also buy miniature models of the two-wheeled supers and macho
rider jackets and teeshirts. Even a finance company was around to
offer advice and assistance for purchase of new bikes.
The show had many competitions in various categories. Proud owner –
winners in each category were:
Best Harley Davidson
1. John Thornton- Harley Fat Boy
2. Janine Murray- Heritage Softail
3. Keith Burns – Dyna Wide Glyde
4. Roger Murray- Harley FLSTF
Best Off Roads
1. Dick Danielson – Honda XR400
2. James Hodge – XR400R
Best Cruiser (Above 1000cc)
1. Sadiq Al Saigh – Yamaha Warrior
2. Thamer Ali – Suzuki Intruder
3. Mohammed Al Hinai – Yamaha
4. Hassan Hussein – Shadow
Best Cruiser (Below 1000cc)
1. Qaisar Abdul Rehman – Honda Steed
2. Ivan Gronland- BMW R75/6
3. Khudah Bhakshi – Magna
4. Saleem Al Balushi – Virago
Best Sports Bike (Below 1000cc)
1. Faisal Mohd Al Zedjali – Yamaha R6
2. Adil Yousuf – Honda 929
3. Mohd Al Maskari – Yamaha R6
4. Abdullah Al Abdally – Honda CBR 954RR
Best Sports Bike (Above 1000cc)
1. Mohd Barakat – Yamaha R1
2. Garry Teece – Yamaha R1
3. Khalifa Ali Al Hedef – Yamaha R1
4. Chris Cheeseman- Yamaha R1
Most Popular Bike in Oman
1. Janine Murray – Heritage Softail
Bike dealers who participated in the show were:
1. BMW – Al Jenaibi Automobiles
2. Harley Davidson/ Kawasaki – Shanfari Automotive
3. Honda – OMASCO
4. Suzuki – WJ Towell
5. Yamaha – Zubair Automotive
This great show was organized by bikersoman.com, an online bikers
club.
It is dedicated to cater to the particular needs and interests of
the owners of bikes in the Sultanate of Oman. It gives out
information on the various biking places in Oman and the safety
measures that can be incorporated by bikers while biking. This
portal also provides news and events happening that will be of
interest to bikers. However, only registered members will be invited
to participate in the events. The profiles of these members will be
displayed on the members page and will have the added advantage to
sell their bikes online if they wish to do so. The general
objectives bikersoman.com are to provide the highest standards of
operation and performance of marques; to establish mutually
beneficial relationships with the motorcycle factory, dealers and
other service sources; and to exchange ideas with other biker clubs
throughout the world.
For more information on this online club, one may contact Elvis John on
elvis@sjsoman.com
